Characterization of Fuel Briquettes Produced from Pet Plastics and Sawdust

Abstract

This study is focused on proffering a sustainable option for managing plastic wastes and wood wastes by converting them into fuel briquettes. The plastic wastes (Polyethylene Terephthalate, PET, bottles) were pulverized without the labels and covers using a shredding machine while the wood wastes (sawdust) were collected from wood workshops in Benin City. The wood wastes were sorted using a 2mm mesh sieve to attain uniform grain distribution. The wastes were mixed in varying proportions of plastic to sawdust in ratios 50:50, 60:40, 40:60 respectively which were then binded with an aqueous starch. The mixture was compacted into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes that served as moulds to form briquettes. These briquettes were left to sun-dry to produce Sample A, Sample B, and Sample C respectively. The samples were analysed to ascertain their combustion and physicochemical properties. The results obtained show that Sample C had the highest calorific value of 13.95MJ/Kg, Sample A had 13.17MJ/Kg while Sample B had 6.04MJ/Kg. The results show that the quantity of sawdust in each sample probably contributed greatly to the calorific value of each sample. With such reasonably high calorific value, it can be concluded that can serve as fuel for energy generation and by extension contribute to the sustainable management with plastic wastes and wood wastes